Office machine cart

ABSTRACT

A cart having a collapsed and an erect condition, and adapted for transporting and demonstrating office machines. The cart includes a machine supporting surface or table element on which a machine may rest for demonstration, and to which it may be secured for transportation. In the collapsed condition, the table member is folded down with the machine secured thereto. An adjustable tongue or draw bar is provided by means of which the user may pull or push the cart. In the erect condition the table member is raised to the horizontal at a normal working height for a seated operator, and may be locked in this condition. The cart, in its erect condition, rests on a pair of wheels and a pair of minor leg members. The frame of the cart, on the side from which it is pushed or pulled when in collapsed condition, is provided with plastic runners disposed substantially tangentially to the wheels and terminating in curves at their lower ends in substantial alignment with the axis of said wheels, to act as skids in pulling said cart up or pushing it down steps.

United States Patent Bourgraf et al.

1451 Aug. 15,1972

[54] OFFICE MACHINE CART [72] Inventors: Elroy E. Bourgraf, Cincinnati;Kenneth R. Self, Washington, both of Ohio [73] Assignee:Ferno-Washington, lnc., Greenfield,

' Ohio [22] Filed: March 29, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 128,877

521 US. Cl. ..280/36 c, 280/12 R, 280/4724,

280/4733 51 1111.01. ..B62b 11/00 [58] Field 61 Search...280/36 c,47.19, 47.24, 47.33, 280/12 R, 30

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 180,868 8/1957 1316111..280/47.19 2,835,503 5/1958 Humphries ..280/47.19 2,579,639 12/1951Adams ..280/47.l9 2,784,004 3/1957 Hamrick ..280/47. 19 3,137,511 6/1964Weil ..280/30 FOREIGN PATENTS 0R APPLICATIONS 869,564 10/1940 France..280/36 0 Primary Examiner--Benjamin Hersh Assistant Examiner-Robert R.Song Attorney-Melville, Strasser, Foster & Hoffman [57] ABSTRACT A carthaving a collapsed and an erect condition, and adapted for transportingand demonstrating office machines. The cart includes a machinesupporting surface or table element on which a machine may rest fordemonstration, and to which it may be secured for transportation. In thecollapsed condition, the table member is folded down with the machinesecured thereto. An adjustable tongue or draw bar is provided by meansof which the user may pull or push the cart. In the erect condition thetable member is raised to the horizontal at a normal working height fora seated operator, and may be locked in this condition. The cart, in itserect condition, rests on a pair of wheels and a pair of minor legmembers. The frame of the cart, on the side from which it is pushed orpulled when in collapsed condition, is provided with plastic runnersdisposed substantially tangentially to the wheels and terminating incurves at their lower ends in substantial alignment with the axis ofsaid wheels, to act as skids in pulling said cart up or pushing it downsteps.

8 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PAIENTEDM 1 I912 3,684,307

sum 2 or 3 INVENTOR/S [450V 5. 5 26100 (EM/V5776 dEZ/ ATTORNEYSPAIENTEBAUI; 15 m2 SHEET 3 OF 3 Ma M I @MM 5% WM M g w OFFICE MACHINECART BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Salesmen for business machines suchas typewriters, adding machines, bookkeeping machines, calculators,small computers, radios, television sets, audio-visual equipment and thelike, must generally carry with them the machine they are to demonstrateand sell. These machines are usually of substantial bulk and weight, andtherefore difficult and even dangerous to carry. Because of their weightthey impose a tremendous physical strain on the salesmen, and if theyare dropped, the damage can be very substantial.

The present invention provides a solution to the above noteddifficulties, in that the cart, in its collapsed condition, is easilyhandled. It has a table member to which the machine to be demonstratedmay be secured, and the cart may be pulled or pushed by the salesman. Bya simple maneuver, the table member may be raised to a horizontalposition at normal height for a seated operator, and locked againstcollapse. It is provided with a tongue or draw bar, which is adjustablein length to suit the particular salesman; and by means of this tonguethe cart and its cargoe can be pulled or pushed over long distanceswithout fatigue to the salesman. It can be easily pulled up, or pusheddown steps in going from place to place; and for a demonstration, themachine need not be removed from the table member, since this is at anormal height for a seated operator.

Basically, the cart comprises a generally rectangular main frame havingvertical side members curved rearwardly at the bottom to providesupports for a shaft on which the two wheels are mounted. The verticalside members are provided with runners of nylon, or similar materialhaving a low coefficient or friction and adapted to serve as skids inpulling a loaded cart up a step or pushing it down a step. Centrally ofthis main frame an adjustable telescoping tongue or draw bar isprovided, by means of which the salesman may pull or push the cart.

A table member is hingedly secured to said main frame near the top. Anarticulated leg member is pivotally secured to each side of the tablemember. Each of the articulated leg members comprises a major upper legmember and, pivotally joined thereto, a lower minor leg member. Thelower members have stub arms pivotally secured to the ends of therearwardly curved portions of the vertical side members of the mainframe. Thus, the pivotal connections between the major and minor legmembers may be thought of as knees; and the rearwardly curved portionsof the vertical side members of the main frame provide blocks againstwhich said leg members may kneel when the cart is in its erectcondition. By virtue of the stub arms, a toggle action is achieved, andthe major and minor leg portions go past dead center in reaching thekneeling" position. Means are provided to lock the cart in this positionagainst accidental collapse; and in this condition the cart is supportedon its two wheels and on the knees of the leg members.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is aperspective view of the cart in its erect condition.

FIG. 2 is a similar view of the cart in its collapsed condition andtilted for pulling or pushing.

FIG. 3a is a side elevational view of FIG. I as seen from the right sidethereof. FIG. 3b is a view similar to FIG. 3a showing the cart in itscollapsed condition, but standing up as for storage.

FIG. 4 is a detailed view on an enlarged scale, with parts in section,showing the adjustment means for the tongue.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view of the knee" structure and the lockingdevice.

FIGS. 6a 6b, and 6c are fragmentary views similar to FIGS. 30 and 3b butseen from the opposite side of the cart, showing stages in theconfiguration in shifting from erect to collapsed condition.

FIG. 7 is a perspective exploded view of the knee connection.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The art of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1in its erect condition ready for a demonstration of whatever businessmachine rests upon the table. The cart is shown in FIG. 2 in collapsedcondition and tilted for pulling by a salesman or pushing from one placeto another. FIG. 3a is simply an elevational view of FIG. I and FIG. 3bshows the cart configuration of FIG. 2 but standing up as for storage.It will be understood of course that the cart may be tilted and pulledor pushed by the operator without collapsing it if it is only desired tomove the cart a relatively short distance. In the description whichfollows the right side of the cart as seen in FIGS. 3a and 3b or theside away from the viewer, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, will be referred toas the front, and the side toward the viewer in FIGS. 1 and 2 and to theleft in FIGS. 3a and 3b will be referred to as the rear.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the cart consists basically of a frame memberwhich is in the configuration of an inverted U and is indicatedgenerally at 10. There is thus provided an upper cross member 11 and thetwo vertical side frame members 12. 'The side frame members 12 curverearwardly at the bottom as indicated at 13 and terminate in ahorizontal portion 14 (FIG. 2). An axle 15 extends across between themembers 14 adjacent the termini of the curves I3 and the wheels 16 aremounted on this axle. The front of the vertical members 12 is faced withplastic runners 17 which extend around the curve 13. These runners maybe of nylon or other suitable plastic having a low coefficient offriction. They are of great assistance in pulling the cart up a step orpushing it down a step when it is in its tilted condition. A centervertical frame member is provided at 18 and it also curves at the bottomas at 19 and is secured to the axle 15. The member 18 is hollow and atongue or draw bar 20 having a handle member 21 is telescopingly engagedtherein. As best seen in FIG. 4, the member 20 is provided with aplurality of openings or recesses 22 and a spring actuated plunger 23 issecured to the member 1 1 and passes through an aperture in the member18 so as to engage in a selected one of the recesses or apertures 22. Inthis way the extension of the handle 21 may be adjusted to suit theheight of the salesman who is using the cart.

A table member 24 is pivotally secured to the frame members 12 neartheir upper ends as indicated at 24a. Pivotally secured to each side ofthe table member 24 is an articulated leg member comprising a majorupper portion 25 and a minor lower portion 26. The point of articulationof the members 25 and 26 is indicated at 27. Each of the members 26 hasa stub arm 28 which is pivotally secured to the horizontal extension 14of the members 17. By reference to FIG. 7, which is an exploded view ofthe knee portion of the legs, it will be clear that the rearwardlyextending end of the member 14 and the stub arm 28 on the leg member 26have cooperating mutually facing bearing elements 29 and 30. Associatedwith the member 29 is an abutment 31 and similarly associated with themember 30 is an abutment 32. When these members are connected by meansof the pin 33 with the faces 29 and 30 in engagement with each other,the abutments 31 and 32 provide limiting stops for the pivotal movementof the leg member 26. Additionally, the portion 14 is provided with thesloping abutment surface 330 against which the leg member 26 kneels whenthe device is in its erect condition. It will be understood that thestructure just described is duplicated on the other side of the cart. InFIG. a locking device is shown which comprises a locking hook element 34having a slot 35 which engages the pin 33 and which is pivoted at 36. Itis provided with a flange 37 so that it may be foot-actuated and tiltedbetween the solid and broken line positions. In the solid line positionthe knee is locked in the kneeling" position and when the member 34 istilted to the broken line position, the can may be collapsed.

A refinement of the locking arrangement may be provided as shown inFIGS. 30, 3b and 5. It will be noted that the upper surface of the hookmember 34 is formed as a cam surface as indicated at 45, and a torsionspring 46 is provided to urge the hook member 34 in a counterclockwisedirection (toward locking position). With this arrangement it will beclear that in putting the cart into erect condition, the pin 33 will camthe member 34 in a clockwise direction until the slot 35 comes intoalignment with the pin, whereupon the spring 46 will cause the member 34to snap counterclockwise into locking engagement with the pin 33.

In order to hold the member 34 in fully unlocked condition, there isprovided a retent bar 47, (FIGS. 30 and 3b) pivoted at 48 to thestrengthening gusset 41. The retent 47 is of such length in relation toits pivot point that its free end 49 rests on the flange 37 when thehook member 34 is in its locked position (FIG. 3a). When the member 34is pivoted to fully unlocked position, the retent bar 47 drops to thebroken line position (FIG. 5) to hold the member 34 in unlockedcondition (FIG. 3b).

To free the member 34, an actuator 50 is pivotally attached to theretent bar 47 as at 51, and extends through an aperture in the member14. Below the member 14 a coil spring 52, held in place by a cap nut 53,exerts a downward pull on the actuator 50, and thus a counterclockwisepull on the retent bar 47, urging it to the broken line position. Theretent bar may be released to permit locking action of the member 34 bypushing upward on the actuator 50 against the effort of the spring 52.It will be observed that such an action is automatically accomplished bythe lower leg portion 26 when the cart is placed in collapsed condition.

The geometry of the structure is such that in the erect condition withthe frame members 12 in the vertical position, the major portions of thelegs 25 are substantially vertical although actually they tilt forwardlysomewhat at their upper ends. The minor portions 26 of the legs sloperearwardly and downwardly to engage the floor and the structure rests onthe ends of the two minor portions of the legs 26 and on the wheels 16.In this position, the table member 24 is disposed at a normal height fora seated operator.

Thus, for a demonstration the cart may be pulled to a suitable place andset up in the configuration of FIGS. 1 and 3a and an operator may sitdown in a chair at the rear of the cart and operate the machine which isresting on the table member 24. The cart, of course, may be providedwith a panel 40 providing a modesty shield and the strengthening gussets41 also constitute modesty shields.

If it is desired to move the cart or the machine on the cart to anotherlocation not too far away, the handle 21 may be extended and the carttilted and the assembly may be pulled to another location. If, however,it is desired to transport the machine to a remote location, as forexample to another building, then it is desirable to collapse the cartto the configuration shown in FIGS. 2 and 3b. To accomplish this, thelock member 34 is actuated to unlock the structure whereupon theconfiguration of the legs goes through the positions shown in FIGS. 6ato 6c inclusive and the cart is in its fully collapsed condition in FIG.6c. As best seen in FIG. 3b, in this condition the knee portions 27 ofthe legs rest on the floor and the table member 24 is folded forwardlyagainst the rear of the frame 10. Thus, the cart may be left standing inthe position of FIG. 3b or it may then be tilted as shown in FIG. 2 andthe tongue 20 extended to a convenient length for pulling or pushing thecart along. It will be understood that when the cart is to be collapsedwith a business machine resting on the table member 24, means will beprovided to secure the business machine to the table member, as forexample by means of straps. If the business machine is strapped to thetable 24 for travel, the entire unit may be transported back and forthin the collapsed condition and in this condition it may be stowed in thetrunk of an automobile or in the back of a station wagon with nodifficulty.

As an additional convenience, a wire rack 43 may be provided which ispivoted in the members 14 and which may be folded out to the positionshown in FIG. 1 resting against a cross brace 44 extending between theminor leg portions 26. The rack 43 may be used as a support for a briefcase, tool kit, or the like. When not in use, the rack is simply foldedin to the position shown in FIG. 2.

It will be understood that numerous modifications may be made in detailwithout departing from the basic principles of the invention. Therefore,no limitation not expressly set forth in the claims is intended orshould be implied.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:

l. A business machine transporting and demonstrating cart, comprising amain frame having vertical side elements curving rearwardly intohorizontal portions at their lower ends, an axle connecting saidhorizontal portions adjacent the termini of said curves, a pair ofwheels rotatively mounted on said axle, a tongue secured to said mainframe, a table member pivoted to said main frame near the top thereof, apair of articulated legs pivotally connected to said table member inspaced relation to said main frame, each of said legs consisting of amajor upper portion and a minor lower portion, a forwardly extendingstub arm on each of said minor leg portions and pivotally secured to therespective ends of the horizontal portions of said main frame, saidhorizontal portions having abutment blocks adapted to be abutted by theportions of said minor leg portions above said stub arms in the erectcondition of said cart, the geometry of the parts being such that in theerect condition, the major leg portions are in a substantially verticalposition, the pivotal connections between said stub arms and thehorizontal portions of the main frame are disposed rearwardly of thepoints of articulation of said leg members, and said lower leg portionsextend downwardly and rearwardly beneath the table member, and in thecollapsed condition said table member is in a substantially verticalposition, said minor leg portions occupy a forwardly extendingsubstantially horizontal position, and the lower ends of the major legportions slope rearwardly with their lower ends resting on the groundand the main frame sloping slightly to the rear.

2. The structure of claim 1, wherein said main frame includes a verticalcentral element curving rearwardly into a horizontal portion at itslower end, said lower end being secured to said axle, and said verticalelement having a tongue telescopingly engaged therein, and means to locksaid tongue selectively in a number of positions of extension.

3. The structure of claim 1, wherein the articulated connection betweenone of the major and minor leg portions has an extending pin, and a hookmember is pivotally mounted on the respective abutment block, said hookmember being adapted to be pivoted to engage over said pin to lock saidcart in erect condition.

4. The structure of claim 3, wherein said hook member is provided with afoot-actuable flange for locking and unlocking said cart in erectcondition.

5. The structure of claim 3, wherein a spring is provided to urge saidhook member to locking position, and said hook member incorporates a camsurface engageable by said pin, whereby said hook member is cammedtoward unlocking position by said pin, and after passage of said pinpast said cam surface said hook member snaps into locking position underthe influence of said spring.

6. The structure of claim 5, wherein a retent bar is provided 'to engagesaid flange to hold said hook member in fully unlocked condition, saidretent bar having an actuating member, and a spring urging saidactuating member and retent member to flange engaging position, wherebypressure on said actuating member releases said hook member to lockingposition.

7. The structure of claim 6, wherein said actuating member is positionedto be abutted by a lower leg por tion to operate it, when said cart isplaced in the collapsed condition.

8. The structure of claim 1, wherein a generally U- ?Ihaped wire rack ispivotally mounted between the orizontal portions 0 the mam frame, and abrace member is provided connecting the said minor leg portions, saidrack resting on said brace member when pivoted outwardly for use.

1. A business machine transporting and demonstrating cart, comprising amain frame having vertical side elements curving rearwardly intohorizontal portions at their lower ends, an axle connecting saidhorizontal portions adjacent the termini of said curves, a pair ofwheels rotatively mounted on said axle, a tongue secured to said mainframe, a table member pivoted to said main frame near the top thereof, apair of articulated legs pivotally connected to said table member inspaced relation to said main frame, each of said legs consisting of amajor upper portion and a minor lower portion, a forwardly extendingstub arm on each of said minor leg portions and pivotally secured to therespective ends of the horizontal portions of said main frame, saidhorizontal portions having abutment blocks adapted to be abutted by theportions of said minor leg portions above said stub arms in the erectcondition of said cart, the geometry of the parts being such that in theerect condition, the major leg portions are in a substaNtially verticalposition, the pivotal connections between said stub arms and thehorizontal portions of the main frame are disposed rearwardly of thepoints of articulation of said leg members, and said lower leg portionsextend downwardly and rearwardly beneath the table member, and in thecollapsed condition said table member is in a substantially verticalposition, said minor leg portions occupy a forwardly extendingsubstantially horizontal position, and the lower ends of the major legportions slope rearwardly with their lower ends resting on the groundand the main frame sloping slightly to the rear.
 2. The structure ofclaim 1, wherein said main frame includes a vertical central elementcurving rearwardly into a horizontal portion at its lower end, saidlower end being secured to said axle, and said vertical element having atongue telescopingly engaged therein, and means to lock said tongueselectively in a number of positions of extension.
 3. The structure ofclaim 1, wherein the articulated connection between one of the major andminor leg portions has an extending pin, and a hook member is pivotallymounted on the respective abutment block, said hook member being adaptedto be pivoted to engage over said pin to lock said cart in erectcondition.
 4. The structure of claim 3, wherein said hook member isprovided with a foot-actuable flange for locking and unlocking said cartin erect condition.
 5. The structure of claim 3, wherein a spring isprovided to urge said hook member to locking position, and said hookmember incorporates a cam surface engageable by said pin, whereby saidhook member is cammed toward unlocking position by said pin, and afterpassage of said pin past said cam surface said hook member snaps intolocking position under the influence of said spring.
 6. The structure ofclaim 5, wherein a retent bar is provided to engage said flange to holdsaid hook member in fully unlocked condition, said retent bar having anactuating member, and a spring urging said actuating member and retentmember to flange engaging position, whereby pressure on said actuatingmember releases said hook member to locking position.
 7. The structureof claim 6, wherein said actuating member is positioned to be abutted bya lower leg portion to operate it, when said cart is placed in thecollapsed condition.
 8. The structure of claim 1, wherein a generallyU-shaped wire rack is pivotally mounted between the horizontal portionsof the main frame, and a brace member is provided connecting the saidminor leg portions, said rack resting on said brace member when pivotedoutwardly for use.